Binder



I July 30; .1929. A. M. MARTl N BINDER 2 Sheets-Sheei 1 Filed March 5; 1927 7 7 k TTORNgY y 1929- A. M. MARTIN 1,722,812

BINDER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 5, 1927 INV NTOR awn v ATTORNEY Patented July 30, 1929.

warren sures PATENTOFFICE.-

ALFRED M. MARTIN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

BINDER.

Application filed March 5,

These improvements have their more particular relation to book-type devices usually called binders, and to such thereof as have a pair of back members hinged together, with covers or lids hinged to the back members respectively, and with prongs carried by the back members for holding the leaves or sheets in the device for ready removability.

This application is a continuation in part of my copending application Serial No. 150,- 668 filed November 26, 1926 on supporting means for book-type binders, this continuation being principally with respect to subject matter disclosed by Figs. 10,. 11, and 12 of said copending application.

In this connection I refer also to my ('0- pending application Serial No. 169,157 filed February 18, 1927, on multiple unit book holders.

The prime objects of the present invention are to simplify and render more easy and satisfactory the use of such binders, saving time and labor, and thereby also increasing the efiiciency of such devices. More specific objects are to provide such results through means carried by the binder itself for suporting the middle portion of the book or inder when open whereby its back members may be operated on their hinge connections to, separate the prongs laterally to various extents in the normal operation of the book. Other objects are to provide such results while preserving the general form and shape of the book or binder, and to provide supporting means which are not likely to mar the table top on which the device is used. Other objects are to provide supporting means for the purposes specified which are simple in construction, which are strong and durable, which are easily to be operated, and which are highly eiiicient.

Still other objects and advantages will appear from. the following description and the appended claims.

The loose-leaf binders having these improvements will ordinarily be devices of substantially large size, say ranging from thirteen. to twenty inches in length, meaning in the direction of the hinge connection of the backs, and from say two to three inches in thickness and up to twenty inches in width. lVhen substantially filled with card or sheet material such books are quite heavy,

1927. Serial No. 172,380.

Prior to my invent-ions for supporting the middle portion of the binder when open so that the backs may be operated freely the practlce has been to place the binder on the top of a desk, table or the like and spread swing from side to side to various extents one of the covers, together with all of the cards or sheets on it, the operator either thus closing the backs together completely until caught and held, or partially, by holding one side of the book in raised position so that the prongs will overlap, cards or sheets being swung from one set of prongs to the other while one side is thus held. In view of the weight of the parts thus manipulated the operation involves the expenditures, especially during the entire day, of a large amount of energy, and these books are to a large extent handled by women. v

In my said copending applications I'have shown various means for overcoming the disadvantages of the ordinary methods of man'ipulation. by supportingthe middle portion of the book. All of the advantages of the book holders described in, said first-mentioned copending application are to be had from the present device, together with other advantages, since according to the present device separate holding means are'not necessary and the binder as a whole is always ready for use and for use according to a simple method of operation thus made possible.

It may be mentioned also that the book or binder formed according. to the preferred construction of this application is quite as susceptible of use in the multiple unit book holder of said second-mentioned copending application as are binders of the type illustrated in that eopending application; The

-6.- s. n eds view front end view. of a herein, isnot suitableto be used in said 111L11- broken. away to show. interior: constructions;

FigAl is a fragmentary enlargement of parts including theidotted-lline portionof Fig, 2 walls beingflbroken' away. It shows the pri an. mt m nts fe -in li one t he t n eel si r e ti is membe F sfi is e iasm 'i ir t- Vi w a d i M p ot a metal; frame. piece having the catch element formed, therefrom and carried thereby 7 is an end view offthe binder, with the lids broken away,

showing. the' bookrsupporting members p ea time the at fer the ba k. ma n,- bers being released and the-back members ei p a part s isli as. F 8 9Ws. the vi h Fig- 7 -t it sfbs mem ers cleva t l h i fii ll ext nt "as the prong the eby; spread Widely apart; Fig- 1 i a .gidifiedfQrin lo 911- r saiwiimheiid besngra tl n. my; Fig-'lQrf si 2 newsman t ha f Fig-7 Shear ng the. s pprting me bers of as. dev se: 6f. he mod fie arm sprea ap rt hs t IQIihQE-ba FR m i s ts net,

liz i s .er; being el ase l ke. part f. t e

i eterred and modified :foiriiis'j wi l be. m l r 3 m rked, h havngs.

Describing first the fin cla pental binder parts illustrated theconse fi ion comprises a Pai Qt ba k membe A and}; i d t get er at 3., 1g f1 is 3 cont the latch. otiwhich the in enibeiflli isfapart, and whcn-theubacks are closed; in

ast y her- The back nsm srs nclude theside walls 15:) which carry the pron s 6 e re t rs m which Pr nsa. in. th S ifi'q y Qtbi dQ ssiWa Ov ap eac o her in the .e losed relative position in open relativeipositions of the. back mem ers Thes sidew l '15 m' inat in hinge knuckles at 17 and on the hinge pins thereof are coverslirespectively.

K More s cifie description of the. construction ofthe fundamental binder parts is not necessary since what" illustrated in this respect is. well known, and, furthermore,

the present invention is not concerned. with specific constructions of the binder, but rather with the type of binder involved. This type may be described as comprising a pair of back members movable relative to each other, and ordinarily hinged to each other, with prongs carried by the. back 1116111- bers to move in directions toward and away from each other when the back members are moved relative to each other, a lid or cover being flexibly connected to each back member.

It has been customary in connection with binders o'f thetype illustrated to cover the ac members w h. varicu ki d Q m te ia h ma pr f red bs as ers i hee form and appr im te y a -e ghth of a 5 i hi ki- 1. fibre a xtende on itud n ly a continues pi am d t0 en f he bask t, and. ansve e y from closely adjacent to the central hinge 1 2 to the hin es 1.7 r spec ive y, h m t r be ng rmed oi fit thssh pe he ack, m mb o vi w an eing firmly a Pe n anently secured to the baCknieinbers as by rivets; Some such rivetsare shown at 20 in la 1 wher they held: str p 2. u ove n ma r Permanen y mm e backs respectively.

In the particular embodiment of the presentinvention shown l'utilize for mybooksupporting members "portions of such backcovering material, chiefly the side portions thereof, but the invention not limited to r uc on iri st n- Referring to 7 and 8, each supporting member. 22 comprises first a metallic plate 23 extending longitudinally the full length of the back member'and having hinge knucklesformed on it for engagement with thehinge pin at 17. In 2 some of the hinge knuckles .as .24: may be considered to be part of the metal piece. 23, the hinge knuckles as 25 as being carried by the back member 15,- and the intervening hinge knuckles as 26 as being connect-ed to the coverlS. A single hinge pin at 17 therefore holds these three members together. The inetal piece, bent approximately atright angles to provide the inwardly-extending part 23 which, as shown by Fig 3, overlies the outer edge portions of thepermanently secured strip" 21 of covering material. on this metal piece 23is applied covering material 27, suitably fibre, formed at the bottom to turn inward at 27, so as to lie upon the metal part 23 nd this covering 27 is firmly riveted to the metal part rivets 28 (Fig. 2). r

The extensions 27"" have their corners cut away at 29 and are slightly rounded there so asto present a suitable surface. to the table top or the like on which thedevice is ordinarily used. These extensions 23" 2 f7 constitute feet, and the connecting parts 2-327 constitute legs or leg-like members for supporting the middle portion of the book when open.

I provide means for holding for ready releasability these laterally-swinging supporting members 22 against the side walls 15 of the back members respectively. The preferred catch means for this purpose are well shown in Fig. 3 as comprising a spring 32 bent somewhat U-shaped and provided with a tongue at 33 at one end passing through a hole. in the upper wall of the frame, the bend of the spring at 34; being seated against the inner wall of the back member, the normally lower and free end of the spring having a bead or turn 35 thereon fitting into the corner between side and bottom wall members of the back member frame. The hollow part of the back member is ordinarily called boxing, and the spring 32 is within the hollow interior of this boxing and is held therein against the possibility of getting out of proper operative position by the construction and arrangement shown. It is put in there at the time theboxing is closed.

Figs. 7 and 8 plainly show the catch member 36 adapted to cooperate with the spring 32. Figs. 5 and 6 show how this catch member may conveniently be formed out of the metal piece 23, as by merely punching it out on, roughly speaking,three sides, leaving it attached at the fourth and bending it up at right angles. Fig. 4 shows at 38 a fairly wide opening in the side wall 15 of the back member and'also that at 39 the bottom covering piece 21 is also somewhat cut away, and these openings are made to permit the free end of the catch member 36 to come into engagement with the head or roll 35 of the spring 32.

Fig. 3 shows that in moving the swinging member 22 into locked position the slanting surface 36 on the catch 36 will push the bead 35 upward as the parts are viewed in Fig. 3 and that thereupon this head 35 will descend into the seat recess 36 (see Figs. 7 and 8 for the reference numbers) and thus hold the swinging member .22 against the side Wall 15 of the back member. The swinging supporting member 22 may be released from the holding effect by simply forcing it in the outward direction, which may readily be done and with little expenditure of energy. lVith the side members so held the book may be handled in the ordinary ways and the conventional appearance is maintained, the only substantial difference in appearance being that the feet 27 overlap the covering members 21 respectively at the corners. This is not objectionable, but rather improves the appearance.

' It also improves the strength of the book at these corners where they receive their severrangement shown in Figs. 9 and 10 in this respect could be used as well.

Fig. 3 shows how the book may be opened for such purposes as consultation or to make some entries at given places without removing or inserting sheets or performing any other manipulations calling for relative movement of the prongs. Fig. 7 shows the laterally-swinging supporting members 22 spread in directions apart and the latch controlled by the finger-piece 13 released, permitting the backs to open. The position of Fig. 7 is one which may be maintained as the basic position for operations all day long, avoiding all use of the lock for the back members until time to put the book away.

To swin the members 22 in directions apart the most convenient method is to apply the thumbs upon the lids or covers 18 and grasp the feet 27 with the tips of the fingers and simply draw these swinging members outward, and for this convenient methodof operation the binder as a whole will be drawn toward the operator so that the front end thereof will be free ofthe table top slightly. The thumbs may be applied, however, directly to these side members 22 to force them apart. The supporting members as 22 will be spread apart as the first operation before releasing the latch by the finger-piece 13 when the book is in the position of Fig. 3.

Note from Figs. 7 and 8 how the supportin members 22 impinge against the lids 18 adjacent to the hinge connection at 17. The covers 18 as well as the covering material on the supporting members 22 is beveled to such an extent as to permit the legs to swing apart to form a substantially wide base, further lateral movement being stopped when the predetermined spread is attained.

Fig. 8 shows the backs A and B of the modified construction raised to their'l'ull extent and with the prongs 1G (partly broken away) so widely separated that sheets or leaves on them may simply be slipped off and away. From the position of Fig. 8 the backs may easily be lowered to any extent desired, by simply pressing them down, so as to bring the prongs into overlap, for instance as in Fig. 7, whereby sheets may be swung'from one side to the other of the book. Then at any particular place among the sheets the backs may le again raised to insert or remove sheets or perform any other manipulations, for example shifting one back member relative to the other, as in what are known as shift binders of this type.

When the book contains the usual quantity of sheets or leaves (the sheet material preferably not :unduly filling or overlilling the book, especially in' the thinner sizes) the back members remain at various elevations with respect to the table top, including the fully-raised position of Fig. 8, into which they are moved while being supported by the members 22. It is pointed out also that all of the sheet material may be on one side without rocking the backs on the hinge connection between them or moving the middle portion of the book bodily off its support. The construction as a whole is quite stable, and there is no possibility of a lateral collapsing tilting action of the supporting str'ucture when the book is unlocked and ing or falling down of the supporting structure when the supporting means are in normal position for use and the book is open.

In Fig. 9 the lateral-l-y swinging support ing members 40 are pivotally mounted at 41 adjacent to the hinge connection-17 on the lid member 18. Their respective feet 4L0 abut the side edges of the covering elements 42 respectively, thus preserving the usual contour of the covering on the backs. hen

.the lids 18 are swung in directions apart the supporting member's 40 are moved relative to the back; members whereby the latter are elevated when the feet 40 are: resting on the table top. Fig. 10 shows the middle of the book elevated considerably, due to the distance between the pivots 17 and ll at each side. In some constructions of binders it may be advantageous to raise the back portions somewhat for ensuing manipulations. The principal objection to this modified construction of Figs. 9 and 10 is that the lids and sheets between them may not be swung from side to side without, in some movements, swinging the supporting members also, and this construction is not therefore adapted" for use in the multiple unit device of my said secondly-mentioned copending application.

I conceive the present invention to "be broad in scope, and am therefore claiming it herein with a view to various changes, departures and modifications possible in kinds and character's of construction andarrange ment from what is thus specifically set forth.

I claim:

1. In a. loose-leaf binder, the combination of a pair of back members movable relative to each other, prongs carried bythe back members respectively so as to move toward and away from each other when the back members are moved relative to each other, a cover flexibly connected to each back member, and supporting members carried by the binder and mounted thereon for movement into binder-supporting position for, supporting on a, rest surfacethe middle portion ofi, theibinder when in. anopen posi tion for use while maintaining the back members free to be moved relative to each other to move the prongs in the normal operationsv of the device. 7

2. In. a loose-leaf binder, the combination of a pair of back members movable relative to each other, prongs carried by the back members respectively so as to move toward and away from each other when the back members are moved relative to each other, a cover flexibly connected to each back member, and leg-like members p-ivotally carried by the binder to spread apart at their normally lower ends to form a substantially wide base for supporting on a rest surface the middle portion of the binder when in an open position for use while maintaining the back members free to be moved relative to each other to move the prongs in the normal operations of the device.

3. Ina loose-leaf binder, the combination of a pair of back members movable relative to each other, prongs carried by theback members respectively soasv to move toward and away from" each other when the back members are moved relative to each other, a cover flexibly connected to each back memher, and laterally-swinging members having their normally lower ends free and having a limited lateral spread at their normally lower endscarried by the binder at the flexible connections of the covers with the back members respectively for supporting on a rest surface the middle portion of the binder when in an open position for use, while maintaining the back members free to be moved relative'to each other to move the prongs in the normal operations of the device.

, 4. In a binder of the character described, the combination of a pair of back members hinged together and having longitudinally extending side walls facing each other when the back members are in closed position,

prongs carried by the side walls of the back members, the prongs being directed toward the oppositev side walls respectively, a cover flexibly connected to each back member, and means carried by the binder for supporting firmly and against lateral tiltingmovements the middle portion of the binder when open, while maintaining the back members free to move with respect to each other on the hinge connection between them.

5. In a binder of the character described, the combination of a pair of back members hinged together, prongs carried by the back members, a cover flexibly connected to each back member, and members pivotally carried by the binder for supporting firmly and against lateral tilting movements the middle portion of the binder when open while maintaining the back members free to move up and down while moving relative to each. other onthe hinge connection between them:

6. In a binder of the character described, the combination of a pair of back members hinged together, each back member having outer boxing covering forming outer corners, prongs carried by the back members, a cover flexibly connected to each back mem ber, and means comprising leg-like members carried by the binder at places respectively spaced from said corners for supporting firmly and against lateral. tilting movements the middle portion of the binder when open while maintaining the back members free to move on the hinge connection between them.

7. In a binder of the character described, the combination of a pair of back members hinged together, prongs carried by the back members, a cover flexibly connected to each back member, and a plurality of supports carried by the binder and arranged to be moved severally and individually into relative positions providing a substantially wide base for the middle portion of the binder when open.

8. In a binder of the character described, the combination of a pair of back members hinged together, prongs carried by the back members, a cover flexibly connected to each back member, and supporting members pivotally mounted on the binder to move in directions apart at their normally lower portions to form a firm and substantial base for the middle portion of the binder when the binder is normally open and resting on a substantially flat surface.

9. In a binder of the character described, the combination of a pair of back members hinged together, prongs carried by the back members, a cover flexibly connected to each back member, and supporting members mounted to swing at their normally lower ends in directions apart on normally horizontal axes respectively when the binder is normally to be opened and placed on a substantially horizontal rest surface.

10. In a binder of the character described, the combination of a pair of back members hinged together, prongs carried by the back members, a cover flexibly connected to each back member, and a pair of leg members pivotally mounted on the binder approximately at the hinge connections between the back members and the lids respectively to spread in directions away from each other at their normally lower ends to form a substantially Wide base for the binder when open and resting on a table top or the like.

11. In a binder of the character described, the combination of a pair of back members hingedtogether, prongs carried by the back members, a cover flexibly connected to each backmember, and supporting members extending substantially from end to end ot-the binder and mounted on the binder at places adjacent to the flexible connections between the covers and the back members respectively to swing in directions apart at their normally lower end portions to form a base for the middleportion of the binder when open and resting on a table top or the like.

12. In a binder of the character described, the combination of a pair of back members hinged together, prongs carried by the back members, a cover flexibly connected to each back member, and supporting members car ried by the binder at the hinge connections between the covers and the back members respectively and being adapted to be spread in directions apart at their normally lower end portions and form a base for holding the middle portion of the binder whereby the back members may move up and down while moving relative to each other on the hinge connection between them and while the middle of the binder is firmly supported.

13. In a binder of the character described, the combination of a pair of back members hinged together, covering members for the back members positioned at the sides of the back members respectively, prongs carried by the back members, a cover flexibly connected to each back member, said covering members being pivotally mounted on the hinges between the back members and the covers respectively and being adapted to be spread in directions apart at their normally lower ends to a limited extent to form a sub stantially wide base for the middle'portion of the binder when open..

14;. In a binder of the character. described, the combination of a pair of back members hinged together, covering members for the back members positioned at the sides of the back members respectively, prongs carried by the back members, a cover flexibly connected to each back member, said covering members being pivotally mounted on the hinges between the back members and the covers respectively and being adapted to be spread in directions apart at their normally lower ends and to a limited extent to form a base forthe middle portion of the binder when open, and means for holding said covering membersreleasably in closed position.

15. In a binder of the character described, the combination of a pair of back members hinged together, prongs carried by the back members, a cover hinged to each back member, and supporting members normally extending longitudinally alongside of the back members respectively and being hinged at the hinges between the covers and back members respectively to be spread in directions apart at their normally lower ends and to a limited extent for supporting on a rest surface the middle portion of the binder when open while maintaining the back members free to be moved up and down to open and close them to various extents in the normal I 16. In a binder of the character described, the combination of a pair of back members hinged together, prongs carried by the back members, a cover hinged to each back member, and supporting members normally extending longitudinally alongside of the back members respectively and being hinged at the hinges between the covers and back members respectively to be spread apart at their normally lower portions for supporting on a rest surface the middle portion of the binder when open while maintaining the back members free to be moved up and down to open and close them to various extents in the normal operations of the device, said supporting members having inturned edge portions serving as feet.

17. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination of a'p'air of back members movable relative to each other, prongs carried by the back membersrespectively so as to move toward and away from each other when the back members are moved relative to each other, a cover flexibly connected to each back member, and leg members hingedly carried by the binder at the hinge connectionsbetween the backs and the covers respectively and being mounted to be spread in directions apart at their normally lower portions to an extent suflicient to provide a substantially wide base for supporting on a rest suriace'the middle portion of the binder when in an open position for use while maintaining the back members 'free to be moved'relative to each other to move the prongs in the normal operations of the device; 7

18. In a loose-leaf binder, the combination of a pair of back members pivotally movable relative to-each other, series of prongs carried by the back members respectively so as to move toward'and away from each other and overlap each other in side by side relation and to come out of such overlapped relation when the back members are moved relative to each other, a cover flexibly connected to each back member, and supporting members mounted at the flexible connections between the covers and the back members respectively and adapted to be spread in directions apart at their lower end portions and to impinge against the covers respectively when in spread-apart relation for simporting on a rest surface the middle portion of the binder when in an open po sition for use while maintaining the back members free to be moved relative to each operations of the device.

19; In a looseleaffbinder, the combination of apair of back-,11'1embershinged to gether, prongs carried by the back members, a cover flexibly connected to each back memher, and means carried by the binder close to the flexible connections between the covers and the back members respectively providing a firm, stable and non-tilting support for holding the middle portion of the binder when the binder is open and resting on a substantially horizontal surface whereby the back members may be moved up and down and relative to each other on the hinge connectionbetweenthem while maintaining the flexible connections between the covers and the back members respectively in substantially the same horizontalplane.

20. In a loose-leaf binder, the combina tion of a pair of back members operatively connected together for movement in direc' tions away from and toward each other, prongs carried by the back members respectively so as to move away from and toward each other'for the removal and in- V sertion of sheets when, the back members are so moved, a cover fleiribly connected to each back member, oppositely-disposed members with] laterally-extendingends carried by theflbinder and adapted to assume downwardly and outwardly extending positions for supporting the middle iportion of the binder firmly and against lateral tilting'movements when the binder is man open position for use on a'table'top or the like. V

21. The combinationwith a binder of the character described having a pair back members hinged together and a stiff and substantially; heayy and wide cover in hinged relation to each back member, of means'form'inga rigid support held in rigid position lateral of each back member and cooperating with said covers respectively and engaging the binder adjacent to the hinge connection between the covers and the back members respectively for holding the back niembers suspended from places on the binder adjacent to the hinge connection between the covers and back members back members whi-le maintaining the middle portion of the binder against lateral-anddo'wnwa'rd collapse when the covers are spread apart and the binder is'so supported and normally in ilse.-

ALFRED M; 

